Developer, developer cartridge, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A method of producing a developer includes the steps of: kneading at least a resin and a colorant; reducing the kneaded resin and colorant to coarse powders; adding an additive agent to the coarse powders; reducing the coarse powders with the additive agent to fine powders; and classifying the fine powders to provide the developer.

1. A method of producing a developer comprising the steps of:
 kneading at least a resin and a colorant; 
 reducing said kneaded resin and colorant to coarse powders; 
 adding an additive agent to said coarse powders; 
 reducing said coarse powders with said additive agent to fine powders; and 
 classifying said fine powders to provide said developer. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said additive agent is selected from the group consisting of a silica, titanium, a titanium oxide, a clay, an alumina, a calcium carbonate, a methacrylic resin abradant, a melamine resin, and a silicon abradant. 
     
     
       3. A cartridge comprising said developer according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       4. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 an image holding device; 
 a charging device for charging said image holding device; 
 an exposing device for forming an electrostatic latent image on said charged image holding device; 
 a developing device for making said electrostatic latent image visible; and 
 said cartridge according to  claim 3 . 
 
     
     
       5. A cartridge comprising said developer according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
       6. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 an image holding device; 
 a charging device for charging said image holding device; 
 an exposing device for forming an electrostatic latent image on said charged image holding device; 
 a developing device for making said electrostatic latent image visible; and 
 said cartridge according to  claim 5 . 
 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of mixing the resin and the colorant to form a mixture before the step of kneading the resin and the colorant. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising a step of melting the mixture at a temperature above a melting temperature of the resin before the step of reducing the resin and the colorant. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said coarse powders have a first diameter, and said fine powders have a second diameter smaller than one tenth of the first diameter.